The Finance Committee is considered one of the most influential assignments in the House, since that committee is largely responsible for shaping the state budget and all other bills that have a potential financial impact on the state. It is also one of the busiest committees, meeting daily and sometimes twice a day throughout much of the legislative session.

Representative Fierro (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket), who is serving his first term as a legislator, is also a member of the Municipal Government Committee.

He said he is looking forward to helping the state address the challenges it is facing in terms of the budget deficit and its lagging economy, and is particularly interested in working to pass legislation to eliminate the flat tax option for high-grossing income-tax payers, as well as on efforts to address the urgent needs of the state’s distressed community hospitals, including Landmark Medical Center in Woonsocket.

“Being on the Finance Committee means that I’ll be in a better position to advocate for the people of our state earlier in the budget process, when the budget proposal is still fluid and easier to amend. My first goal will be to push to eliminate the flat tax, because our state is getting nothing in return for this tax break for the rich. We need to enact less regressive tax policies that help Rhode Islanders and the state itself get back on their feet,” said Representative Fierro.

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/News/pr1.asp?prid=6223

As promised, here is the link to this Monday’s important City Council meeting. Hope to see you there!

So, enjoy the long weekend, and please accept my apologies for not updating.

I’ll post a new video blog on Tuesday and hopefully continue to do so regularly.

In no particular order, I would like to thank: The Lebrun Family, The Carey Family, Chris Chianese, The Derouin Family, Reverend and Mrs. Vaughn, The Lamberts, The Tupper Family, The George Family, The Chattman Family, Nina Rotatori, John Alvarez and Family, Chris Oakland, Janet Santiago, Margie Ortiz, Jesenia Alvarado, Tasia Ojeda, The Dutile Family, Bonnie and Fred Larson, Leslie Talamini, The Archambeault family, Gregory and Gloria Comastra, Rep. Edwin Pacheco, Rep. Ray Church, Justin Cormier, Rep. Arthur Handy, Rep. Gordon Fox, The Woonsocket Firefighters, The United Nurses and Allied Professionals, Shannon Lussier, Vivian Dussault, Armand Lusi, Jack McConnell, The Woonsocket Teachers Guild, Mary Foley, and so many others! Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for believing in me.

No set of thank yous would be complete without mentioning my wife and best friend, Kristina Lambert. Thanks for holding down the fort and tucking in the kids for the last five months. My kids, Hannah, Annabelle and Vincenzo—thanks for taking it all in stride—for having an entire summer without Daddy, you guys did great. My Grandpa Ed and Grandma Muriel Lambert—thank you for believing in me. My in-laws Linda and Jim Ouimette, thanks so much. My Mom and Dad came all the way down from Maine and worked the entire Election Day—thank you. I hope to keep making you proud. And last but not least, Alex Moore, my campaign manager, who believed in me enough to give up most of his summer to work for change.

I didn’t make big campaign promises. I simply promised to do my best, to work hard, and to be open and ethical. That is my goal as the next State Representative from District 51. Thanks to my friends, family, supporters, and anyone that I may have accidentally omitted.

Thank you all for helping me!

-Chris Fierro

Wednesday, 09/10/2008,  Woonsocket Call “We built a grassroots team of different progressive organizations, we put people in the streets and we worked our butts off,” said Fierro when asked how he pulled off the victory.  Fierro, 28, of 137 Ridge St., is employed as a research specialist for the New England Carpenters Labor Management Program and had campaigned on themes of improving the living standards of working people.

Thursday, 09/11/2008, Valley Breeze Political newcomer Christopher Fierro, at just 28 years old, was the upstart winner in the District 51 state representative primary race on Tuesday.

In House District 51, CHRISTOPHER FIERRO of Woonsocket is the progressive favorite among a busy field of six Democrats — and with good reason. Fierro has a close focus on trying to attract good-paying jobs to northern Rhode Island. More than his competitors, he has the energy and sensibility to make a positive impact in the General Assembly.

Click here for the full list of endorsements.

Here’s an excerpt:

With nearly 100 comments and lots of debate, our 2008 primary contest has come to a close.  And  without further adue, here our the top five primaries that RI Future will be watching closely and reporting on in 2008:

1. Chris Fierro – Fierro is running for State Representative in House District 51 in Woonsocket.  This seat was vacated when Roger Picard ran for the state senate upon Sen. Roger Badeau’s passing.

…..

What is most impressive about Fierro is that he is focused on bringing manufacturing jobs back to Woonsocket.  He is focused on bringing high-paying wind and solar power manufacturing jobs to Woonsocket and he has the skills to do it: he has worked to bring contractors and construction unions together to create good, living wage jobs.

Click here for the full post.

If you can’t make the event, please consider making a small donation and send it to:

Friends of Chris Fierro
137 Ridge Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895

or donate quickly and securely online at:

http://www.chrisfierro.com/donate.php

Please feel free to leave comments about the posts.